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December 5, 2008

Streetlevel: Bye-Bye Boerum Hill Food Company

boerum-hill-food-company.jpg
There's another one down on Smith Street. Gowanus Lounge reports that Boerum Hill Food Company, a beloved fixture in the neighborhood, shut its doors yesterday. Apparently the restaurant was owned by Saul and Lisa Bolton, owners of the Michelin-starred Saul restaurant down the street. That one's still open. GMAP




Posted by lisa at 2:02 PM | Comments (23)
Categories: Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Restaurants, Streetlevel

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maybe saul will be next. while tasty, the portions the 4 of us had were laughably small. even the petite women in our group had to go out for burgers after our 'dinner' there.

Posted by: goldie at December 5, 2008 2:07 PM

That sucks. Though the food was not the best of the best, it was always satisfying and the waiters were always friendly. I forget when BHFC opened (1997?) but it was really a trendsetter when it opened (that was when "trendy" Smith St. consisted of Patois, Halcyon, BHFC and not much else.

In my mind, this may be a tipping point for the neighborhood. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of chain stores/restaurants to open up in the neighborhood, and these generally will have the ability to survive the fiscal crisis. The original stores that bloomed in Boerum Hill -- owned by individuals -- may not have the ability to survive, as their access to credit and ability to risk it all may be limited. So, I fear we'll be left with a Smith Street with a Starbucks, American Apparel, Baskin Robbins, CVS, Diesel Jeans, etc., a couple of restaurants and a lot of vacancies.

I hope that fear is not realized, as that is a much, much less interesting place than I had grown to love.

Posted by: aishling at December 5, 2008 2:14 PM

I think Goldie's comment is off-base. Portions are fine -- the size of any good restaurant and Saul is one the best places in the city, deserving it's Michelin. Right up there with Gotham, 11 Madison, Toqueville, Garmmarcy Tavern etc. Fabulous new American food. You do not go to these places for quantity! The Boltons are a lovely couple -- they should continue to thrive there for many years to come!

Posted by: BH76 at December 5, 2008 2:17 PM

Ditto BH76-- I've eaten at Saul's numerous times and never had a problem with the portions. Always have a stellar meal there (my favorite place in Brooklyn, actually).

Posted by: feral at December 5, 2008 2:26 PM

bh76, its a personal opinion, and that shared by others in my party (in fact, many reviews online say the same). you dont go for midwest size portions, but you dont go to dinner to come out needing dinner again. not at that price.

Posted by: goldie at December 5, 2008 2:30 PM

I had the opposite experience at Saul, thought the portions were too generous, and felt too full by the end of the meal. I can't imagine wanting more food than that!

I had the same experience at Grocery, though, so maybe it's just me!

Posted by: Grendel at December 5, 2008 2:44 PM

It seems like the BH Food Co was never opened anyway... This crisis will unfortunatly affect some business's which sux....

WHat will happen with TROUT space now???? Hopefully something good comes in....Becasue that and Pacific is a dump...

Posted by: THAL at December 5, 2008 2:54 PM

Saul is wonderful the food and the owners are perfect. BH food company will be missed.

Posted by: sebb at December 5, 2008 3:03 PM

I need to try Saul and Grocery and Chestnut they all look real good.

Smith needs a good sports bar...That would be great if something like that went into the Trout space...

Downtown Bar and Grill is too overpriced....

Posted by: THAL at December 5, 2008 3:15 PM

Speaking of closings - Margaret Palca Bakes on court is closing at the end of January. Their other location will remain open. Increase in rent and bad economy where the reasons.

Posted by: Ljubitca at December 5, 2008 3:24 PM

goldie, if your group was hungry for burgers even after a small-portioned meal, then your appetites are unusually large.

Posted by: z at December 5, 2008 3:32 PM

goldie HONGRY! now im craving a burger actually. ive eaten at places before and the portions were so small i had to eat somewhere else too.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at December 5, 2008 3:35 PM

I found the portions at Saul to be just fine. One of the better meals I've had in Brooklyn, in fact.

Our entire table of 6 loved the place and most of us have been back multiple times.

Posted by: 11217 at December 5, 2008 3:43 PM

I've only eaten at Saul 3 or 4 times, but have always been satisfied with the portions and certainly more than satisfied with the food. Not cheap, but IMO the best place on Smith.

Posted by: Boerumresident at December 5, 2008 3:59 PM

I heard that they were just shutting it down for a makeover. The owners just weren't happy with the menu, etc., and felt that a clean slate was better than trying to tinker. That was half a year ago, so not sure if its still true.

Posted by: neilw at December 5, 2008 4:14 PM

I will miss the Boerum Hill Food Company that might have been. The actual incarnation always disappointed. It was comfortable, with friendly staff, and an easy menu. But the food was almost never very good. Recent changes only made the situation worse. I hope they are actually just reconsidering the whole thing.

I always missed Trout and whatever that thing was that proceeded it. Great concept and completely dreadful execution.

The marginal places will go, but I hope the great places like Saul continue. In fact, I think I will vote with my reservation this week!

Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at December 5, 2008 4:31 PM

"Right up there with Gotham, 11 Madison, Toqueville, Garmmarcy Tavern etc.

BH76, is "Garmmarcy" Tavern anywhere near the Marcy Houses?

Posted by: GHB at December 5, 2008 5:33 PM

Ok -- and I had an uneeded apostrophe too. I cannot type -- never could, never will. Brain-finger coordination sucks.

Posted by: BH76 at December 5, 2008 6:02 PM

THAL, you've already got Wade's. What do you want, a Hooters? Talk about what Smith street doesn't need...

Posted by: spnder at December 5, 2008 6:50 PM

Secrets out people, the location was sold to Planet Wings...hold for laughter/tears. Saul and Lisa sold out to the highest bidder after unsuccessfully tinkering with a formula that worked for so long. Maybe if they had listened to their customers instead of acting like they could tell them what they wanted Saul and Lisa would still have this treasured neighborhood establishment. Yes times are tough, but it seems like little was done here to turn business around, if not quite to the contrary. Again, a shame, more for the workers of this spot and for the regulars who called BHFco a home away from home for so many years.

Posted by: 29033 at December 5, 2008 11:43 PM

I'm sort of not surprised by Margaret Palca. We had been going there every Sunday on our way to the farmers market for a cup of coffee but as soon as there is more than one person ahead of you in line it takes them FOREVER to get to you. We have walked out of there numerous times because we were sick of waiting and have now stopped trying. I'm sure we are not the only ones...

Posted by: VerandahPl at December 6, 2008 12:16 PM

I've always had superb food/service/portions at Saul, and always felt that, under the guise of being comfort food, BHFC was total dreck. With a hard-to-place attitudinizing on top of the crappy food, this has been a long time coming. Don't know what Planet Wings is, but I'm preparing to be v depressed. By the way, how does this stick in the craw of all the dimwit hypers who thought Trader Joe's coming to Court Street made a townhouse around the corner worth three million bucks? Do shuttered stores finally get the message through to DIBS? Stay tuned.

Posted by: Whuh at December 6, 2008 10:30 PM

I live in blocks from BHFC and only ate there once..it was okay, but nothing great. Please do not open yet another underwhelming French bistro type place, we have enough of those around. Wait, a wings place? are you kidding? Nooooo! We don't need wings. Talk about decreasing my property value. And, yes, having a Trader Joe's 3 blocks away does increase my property value. Not $3mm, though.

Posted by: sushi at December 12, 2008 1:33 AM

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